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August 29, 2003
Hi, it's me again. I thought I would write a little more about myself and my family. I'm a sahm to my girls. I live in Pennsylvania. Currently I like to work out in my free time. I joined a gym two months ago and have started running and doing free weights. I've needed to lose 20lbs since I've had Emma. I've lost about 7-10 lbs and am feeling really good about myself. I like going and I feel like I'm doing something just for myself, even if it means bringing the girls into the nursery or having my husband watch them. I don't know about you, but I usually put myself last of the totem pole. So this is great. I also like to paint (walls in my house) and do things with my friends and family. I'm part of a playgroup that has been a lifesaver for me. That is where I have met my best friends. We're like a little network and do tons of things together. We hang out, watch each other's kids, and have mom's nights out all of the time. I couldn't do it without them. Maddie's made great friends with the kids and learned a lot from early on. I highly recommend something like that so you don't feel so isolated like I did when I started out. I was new to the area and didn't know anyone.
I enjoy staying home with my kids. I am trying to walk a fine line between getting house stuff and cooking stuff done and taking a break when the girls are napping. I am not a very motivated cleaning person. I have spurts of motivation frequently but then I slack off again. I have improved though and have made a serious effert to cook dinner Monday through Friday so we can all eat dinner together as a family.
Maddie (my 2 1/2 year-old)is a great little girl. We started potty training her in July and I can now say with complete confidence that we're done. It took a long while to get over the pooping issues, but we're finally there. I have some good advice on what not to do if you're interested. For the most part, she is pretty well behaved and a ton of fun. This past week she was being defiant and testing me to see how much she could get away with. That was pretty frustrating and I was at a loss with how to deal with her. I felt like she was gaining control, especially when in public. None of my usual tricks seemed to bother her. It is very important to me that she is well behaved. I have wanted to avoid spanking her at all costs but thought maybe I had no other choice. I would tell her not to do something and she would do it anyway and give a smirk as if to dare me to stop her. I decided to put a little pepper on her tongue and that did the trick. There's been a huge improvement in her behavior. I'm so happy about that.
Emma is my almost 9 month-old. She and Maddie have been very different. Maddie was a go getter and did all of her milestones ahead of the average. She is incredibly bright. She was driven to learn and accomplish every new thing. Emma seems to be very laid back and not very interested in getting places or learning things at a fast pace. It occasionally bothers me, and then I have to stop comparing them and remember that Emma will do things at her own pace. She is such an easy-going baby. Always happy and content. I should be happy that I'm not chasing two kids around. I'm trying to enjoy every second of her infancy. I love to hear her babble and stuff like that. I know I will forget all of this one day because I can barely remember Maddie at this age. Oh and they look totally different. Maddie is fair with light blond hair and beautiful green eyes. Emma has a very nice olive complexion with light brown hair and eyes.
Well, I think that is enough for now. Although I should mention a few things about my husband Ray. He is a great father and husband. The girls adore him. He works in software development for a marketing firm. We love to hang out on the weekends and go out or just relax around the house. He always tries to help out and does a lot of cooking and cleaning. When we can, we love going out just the two of us.
I hope everyone has a nice weekend and enjoys Labor Day. We're going to Sesame Place tomorrow. I can't wait. Take care,
Jess (Maddie and Emma)
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